- For other persons of this name, see John Long.
John Long (born 1953) is an American rock climber and author. A graduate of Upland High School in 1971, a one-time divinity student at Claremont School of Theology and former weightlifter, Long was a founding member of an elite group of Idyllwild climbers in the 1970s known as the "Stonemasters". Others in this group included John Bachar, Rick Accomazzo, Richard Harrison, Tobin Sorenson, Rob Muir, Gib Lewis, Jim Wilson, Mike Graham.
Long's many climbing feats include the first one-day ascent of the 3,000 foot Nose route on El Capitan. He was also a boulderer and free-climber of some note. In 1974 he led the
Paisano Overhang (5.12c) on Suicide Rock in Southern California. And in 1978 he climbed
Hangover, a 5.12c route at nearby Tahquitz Rock. Also, in 1976, he made the first free ascent (5.11) of the
Chouinard-Herbert route on Sentinel Rock in Yosemite National Park. As an adventurer, he participated in a coast-to-coast traverse of Borneo.
A prolific author, Long's best known books are the "How to Climb" series.